"I want to go with my people."
— Among the final words of Mama Deborah Iya Bonat, before departing for Taraba, March 2026
For over 40 years, that single sentence was the heartbeat of her life — a relentless, compassionate drive to be where the need was greatest, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the vulnerable.
A Life of Sanctuary
To the world, Deborah Bonat was a formidable leader — the former International Leader of the ECWA Women's Fellowship, a seasoned theologian, and a Dean of Students. But to the hundreds who passed through her doors in Kaduna, she was simply "Mama Sai Godiya."
Having walked the path of widowhood for 30 years, she understood the sting of loss and the weight of uncertainty. She didn't just study theology; she lived it. Her home became a "Transition Point" — a literal sanctuary for new Christian converts fleeing persecution with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
She didn't just pray for them; she paid their school fees, fed them from her table, and mobilised firewood and grain for care homes in Jos.
The Blueprint for Compassionate Action
The Deborah Bonat Foundation was not born in a boardroom; it was born out of the desire to expand the already great work that Deborah was doing. Her children wanted to honour her legacy while she was still alive — to go to the mission fields with her, hold countless outreaches with widows, orphans, missionaries, and vulnerable people, and anyone who needed the help she always gave without question or hesitation.
This foundation was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission on the 29th of August 2025. And before her transition to glory, she and her children meticulously laid out a blueprint. She envisioned a future where:
- Widows are transformed into workers with dignity.
- Orphans are anchored by the HOPE Fund.
- New converts find immediate refuge and a path to self-sufficiency.
- Missionaries are never left to labour without resources.
The Torch is Passed
On March 23, 2026, Mama Deborah finished her race while in active service. While our hearts are heavy, we — her children and the Board of Directors — recognise that her "Outreach" did not end in that tragic accident. It merely transitioned into our hands.
The Deborah Bonat Foundation is her living legacy. We are committed to the high standards of integrity, faith-based action, and radical compassion she exemplified. Every mission field funded, every scholarship given, every care package delivered through Deborah's Basket, and every convert sheltered is a continuation of the work she started at age 13.
Join Us
We invite you to help us finish what she started. We are not just building a foundation; we are expanding a sanctuary. Whether you are a donor, a prayer partner, or a volunteer — you are now part of "her people."
Together, we will ensure that the light Mama Deborah lit continues to shine in the darkest corners of Nigeria.
With hope and resolve,
The Board of Trustees & The Bonat Family